New York Yankees' Blockbuster Trade Rumor Just Won't Go Away

The New York Yankees' roster is likely set heading into the regular season. All of their positions are pretty much filled, and the pitching staff seems solidified, as well.

Of course, that won't stop trade speculation from surging, and one name that keeps surfacing in Yankees trade speculation is Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner.

With the Cubs signing third baseman Alex Bregman in free agency, Hoerner's future with the team has been muddied. Yes, Hoerner plays a different position, but the addition of Bregman means that Matt Shaw has had to move to a utility role.

So with Hoerner having just one year remaining until hitting free agency, the prevailing thought is that Chicago will ultimately allow Hoerner to walk and slide Shaw over to second base.

But could the Cubs trade Hoerner before then?

It seems unlikely considering Chicago is attempting to contend for a World Series, but Joel Sherman of The New York Post has mentioned Hoerner as a potential target for the Yankees once again.

"An ideal candidate for the Yankees would be Nico Hoerner," Sherman wrote. "The Cubs were open to moving him at points during this offseason, especially after the signing of Alex Bregman that could allow Matt Shaw to shift to second base."

Hoerner led all second basemen with a 4.8 WAR in 2025 and slashed .297/.345/.349 with seven home runs and 61 RBI. He also won a Gold Glove.

The 28-year-old is due for a big pay day next offseason, so to be quite honest, New York might not even be interested in acquiring him for that reason.

It's also important to remember that the Yankees seem inclined to roll with top prospects George Lombard Jr. and Dax Kilby in their middle infield, which is why the team seems unlikely to re-sign Jazz Chisholm after 2026.

Hoerner is a terrific player and would definitely represent a good fit in the Bronx (or anywhere), but given the cost it would take to acquire him in terms of prospect capital and then the cost to retain him, it just doesn't seem very realistic for New York.

Even if Chicago falls out of contention by the trade deadline and decides to start shopping Hoerner, it seems rather improbable that the Yanks would make a play for the former first-round pick.

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